Business Directories

Emirates launches A380 service to Munich

Dubai, November 25, 2011

Dubai national carrier Emirates on Friday became the first foreign carrier offering a scheduled A380 service to Germany with the launch of its operations to Munich on Friday.

The double decker will operate as EK 049, one of two daily flights from Dubai to Munich and among the airline’s 60 flights a week to four gateways in Germany; Munich, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Frankfurt, said the airline.

On the A380 route extension, Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive VP, Passenger Sales Worldwide said, “After gradually building up services to Germany since 1987, Emirates is responding to strong demand by bringing its flagship aircraft to one of its most important markets, adding much-needed seat capacity and stimulating further tourism and trade between Germany, the UAE and beyond."

Joining Antinori on the inaugural A380 service from Dubai was Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ senior VP, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation, along with other VIP guests and representatives from the media.

Over one thousand spectators were expected to gather for the landing in Munich, where the giant 489-seat aircraft - under the command of German Captain Fritz Wildt - was set to receive a water cannon salute.

Volker Greiner, Emirates’ VP, North and Central Europe, will host an arrival reception at Munich Airport with guests including Markus Soeder, Bavarian State Minister of Finance, the Lord Mayor of Munich, Christian Ude and Michael Kerkloh, CEO of Munich Airport.

"Emirates’ decision to operate its flagship Airbus A380 on one of its two daily flights from Munich to Dubai represents yet another acknowledgement for the airport," said Dr Kerkloh.

"The fact that this airline, which is successful on all continents, is relying on Munich for part of its expansion plans, is clear evidence of the excellent future prospects for this Bavarian air traffic hub," he noted.

“For our passengers on the high-demand connection to Dubai, the operation of the Emirates’ A380 involves yet another clear quality improvement – after all, Emirates has attracted worldwide attention with the exclusive equipment of its A380,” he added.

Emirates is the largest A380 operator in the world and has now carried more than 7 million passengers since the popular superjumbo was introduced to its fleet in August 2008.-TradeArabia News Service